Packers Training Camp: Is Nelson Vs. Jones A Win-Win For Green Bay?

The Green Bay Packers, and many of their fans, will enter preseason with a myriad of questions, most of which will need time to answer.

• Will the transition to 3-4 be a success?

• Will Rodgers’ sophomore year be a good, if not better, compared to his rookie campaign?

• Will the Pack take the division, or have to battle for a Wild Card spot?

These and many other questions are looming everyday around the organization; they serve as reminders to what is to come this season. But one question seems to be cast to the wayside, perhaps for the best.

 This is an unavoidable question for the Packers, but it’s one that is a win-win no matter the outcome.

If you remember last year, Jones battled a nagging knee injury nearly all year long that began in preseason; this happening to a guy who previously was never injured.

Jones did play 10 games, and in that time, he racked up 274 yards on 20 catches. The year before, he set the record for best pass-catching by a rookie with 676 yards on 47 grabs.

Of the 20 catches Jones made last year, half of them came in the last four games which led everyone to believe the knee was getting better—the Packer faithful and brass were seeing shades of the 2007 rookie from San Jose State that quickly became their new slot receiver.

But in the mix and playing when Jones could not was Kansas State’s own Jordy Nelson, who even started two games.

Nelson played in all 16 games and in that time garnered 366 yards on 33 touches. He caught nearly every ball thrown to him.

Nelson was the only rookie last year to play in all 16 games. He added to his receiving numbers by also returning punts and in doing so earned 208 yards on 11 returns.

Nelson was sharp, he ran his route very well, and he learned the offense incredibly quick. All of these statistics impressed the Packers' coaching staff.

So here is the 2009-10 season and the Packers find themselves having to choose from two very good receivers. Both are big targets, with Nelson at 6’3” 217 pounds and Jones at 6’1” 218 pounds.

Nelson has more speed, can run the lateral routes, and uses his speed to create separation while relying on his sure hands to make each possession worthwhile. He is also a proven punt returner.

Jones is a solid target over the middle on the slant routes and had a solid year in 2007, showcasing his sure hands. He can take the hits, and has good YAC averages. Last year, he had a case of dropping passes, but you can chalk a lot of that up to his knee problem that never really went away.

For the organization, having to make a decision on these two really won’t be a good thing or a bad thing though.

If you go with Jones and he stays healthy, the likely choice, your fourth receiver becomes Nelson which is basically just another starter. If you go with Nelson, the same thing applies and nothing really changes.

Add in Ruvell Martin and Jermichael Finley, you have yourself a pretty deep-receiving corp to rely on.

With five solid wide receivers, a team at that point has an immeasurable amount of options in a formation. They have the ability to substitute more, preserving the longevity of each player, and can create all sorts of mix-matches and problems for defensive coordinators.

In all likelihood, considering Jones’ rookie performance and hot start to last year’s camp before the injury against Denver, it appears that he is the front runner, but that doesn’t mean Nelson won’t legitimately beat him out.

Either way, when it is all said and done, the Packers will have the best receiving-corps depth in all of football.

So where does the Packer community stand? Voice your opinion and let everyone know your thoughts on “The Battle for No. 3."